CROWDS flocked to celebrate the first anniversary of Cleary’s Community Boxing Gym’s new £100k home with a bumper show at Whitnash Civic Centre.
Fighters of all ages competed in 12 bouts as 10-year-old Tobie Turpin, great great grandson of the legendary Jackie Turpin, opened the show which included two of the Midlands Development Championship semi-finals.
Cleary’s own Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lewis Willaism was also in attendance along with Warwickshire’s police and crime commissioner Philip Seccombe and chair of Warwick District Council Sidney Syson.
Edwin Cleary opened the non-profit community gym in 2007 and trained with Jack Turpin – younger brother of local boxing legend Randolph Turpin – before turning professional himself.
Cleary said: “What an unbelievable show, it really was from the top to the bottom a crowd pleaser.
“Our set up would rival some of the televised shows, the organising and running went like clockwork. The officials delivered a fair result.
“The support from our sponsors to allow us to stage such a show is greatly appreciated and the quality of the boxing was first class.
“I really feel at the end of our first year in the new gym, like it was a coming out show.
“I feel like this is now our home: the gym, the Civic Centre and Whitnash. Hearing the kids in the dressing room calling this ‘our home’ and knowing quite a few were locals from Whitnash made me smile.”
The gym has welcomed up to 300 members since moving into its new £100k premises in Acre Close last September following a crowdfunding campaign.
Facilities include three boxing rings (one championship size), a media suite, small conference room, homework space, lounge area and showers and changing facilities.
In its first year, Cleary’s has also started hosting professional boxing titles as well as opening up its facilities to post-16s education.
Cleary added: “Cleary’s has had a history of producing some talented boxers. I can honestly say we watched the birth of an exceptionally talented group of young boxers.
“This was one the best nights of boxing we’ve ever produced and possibly the best. This was a very young group of boxers. This is our future and I can’t wait to watch it grow. Its so exciting.”
Boxing takes centre stage
The show opened with 10-year-old Tobie Turpin, the great great grandson of the legendary Jackie Turpin, and he produced a very mature and skilful display for such a young fighter.
Whirlwind Shane Kavanah kept his opponent busy with his fast feet and faints, letting out flurries of combos.
Ronnie Dacres closed the skills bouts with an outstanding display of pure boxing, sharp jabs and great counters.
All six boxers put on a great few rounds with the majority fighting for the first time under the lights.
A first for Cleary’s Boxing followed as the club hosted two of the Midlands Development Championship semi-finals.
More success for Cleary’s fighters
Cleary’s Callum Horseman then took to the ring and came out strong to take his opponent to the canvas twice in round one.
He then settled down to outbox and out point his opponent on his way to victory in his first competitive bout.
Jay Robins then beat Rocco Russell in a cross-match.
Rio Newey kept Finchley’s Hayden Gardiner on the back foot for most of the three rounds, outclassing and pressuring the Londoner to take a unanimous win in a dominant performance.
Taylor Harrison was first out for the juniors, showing real grit and heart against a taller more rangy opponent. Taylor laid everything on the line but was ultimately out pointed.
Zac Dean did not disappoint on his debut, an awkward switcher ran rings around his heavier opponent. Zac sealed the deal in the third with the doctor stopping the bout due to a nose injury to his opponent.
Charlie Horseman faced his trickiest opponent to date and could not find his rhythm in a points loss to a Tamworth boxer.
Aman Kumar closed the show and produced a masterclass against an experienced and well-decorated boxer from Kent.
Kumar controlled the bout from the first bell, producing his best performance to date as he displayed fast hands, lightning feet and unorthodox style.
